Darryl Strawberry ‘happy’ Pete Alonso is set to break Mets homer record

Darryl Strawberry is still the Mets’ franchise home run leader. 

How much longer that will remain the case is uncertain, with Pete Alonso on the cusp of breaking the record that Strawberry set over eight seasons (1983-1990) in Queens, but the Mets great isn’t bemoaning his impending displacement from a franchise record. 

“You’re talking about a record that’s been there for 35 years, that’s a long time, and records are meant to be broken,” Strawberry told reporters Wednesday at TD Bank Ballpark in Somerset before a game between the Mets and Yankees Double-A affiliates. “I think too many players that played professional sports always think their records should stand and no one should break it, and that’s not true. There are going to be players that come along that will break their record and I’m happy for Pete, because he’s a good guy.

“He’s not one of the bad guys in baseball. He’s a guy that loves playing in New York, and hopefully he’ll achieve it soon.”

Alonso, still sitting at 251 homers, pulled within one long ball of Strawberry’s record on Monday against the Guardians, but he was then held without a home run in the next two games. 

Strawberry praised Alonso’s ability to handle the New York spotlight and said the first baseman’s ability to come close to his record is a testament to the work he’s put into his career. 

“It means he’s worked hard, dedicated himself to believing in himself, because you have to,” Strawberry said. “He’s been able to stand up and play in New York in front of the pressure and the expectations, which is very hard to do, I think a lot of times people don’t realize that. And he’s a homegrown player, just like I was, and when you been developed through the organization like young players you want to do well. He’s been able to do that, so very pleased with all of that he’s about to accomplish.” 

While Alonso has been chasing history, the Mets have struggled as of late, having dropped eight of their last nine, including four straight with their 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Guardians on Wednesday.